In this paper, we describe an approach to use storytelling in academic teaching as a means for background research to hypermedia and virtual reality topics in computer science. Interactivity within this context means selective authoring tather than immersive interaction. In contrast to esisting approaches a Hypermedia Novel environment allows an iteratiave approach to the narrative content, thereby integrating story authoring and story reception at any time. The narrative practice and background research as wll as the resulting product can supplement lecture material with comparable success to traditional academic teaching approaches. In addition there is the added value of soft skill training and a gain of expert knowledge in areas of personal background research.